Dominion’s Proud Place In Empire’s War Effort

Northern Advocate, 12 March 1941, Page 6

Dominion’s Proud Place In Empire’s War Effort

[Per Press Association. Copyright! WELLINGTON, This Day. DELIVERING THE ADDRESS FROM THE THRONE AT THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT TODAY, THE NEW GOVERNORGENERAL (SIR CYRIL NEWALL) SAID: “Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and members of the House of Representatives: I feel it a great privilege to have this opportunity of meeting you for the first time in Parliament assembled. n TT . “I warmly appreciate the honour conferred upon me by Lis Majesty the King, in enabling me to associate myself as His Majesty’s representative with the life and activities of ns Dominion, which has so long and so justly prided itself upon its traditions of loyalty to the (Throne and devotion to the British Commonwealth and to the principles of democracy for the defence of which we are now at war. “Although it is hut a short period since I landed on voui shores I am taking, and will continue to take, every opportunity or meeting the people in all districts and I have been very much moved by the unmistakable warmth of the welcome that has everywhere been extended to me and to Her Excellency “It is my earnest hope that I may, by God s will, be peimitted to assist in some measure in forwarding the prosperity and the development of the Dominion. „ , , “I have come to New Zealand during the course of a struggle upon which the fate of the British Commonwealth and indeed, ot civilisation itself depends, and I have been most happy to note the strength and firmness of the determination that animates m> Ministers in prosecuting this conflict to a successful conclusion.

War Council Commended.

The proper and adequate direction of the Dominion’s war effort has been materially assisted by the establishment of a War Cabinet, and my advisers desire to emphasise the undoubted advantages that have resulted from this measure in placing the higher direction of the Dominion’s war effort upon a wider basis by the establishment of a War Council. Providing as it does for the direct collaboration with my Government of representatives of labour, employers and farmers, it is felt that every section of the community has been afforded some means of expressing its views and exercising its proper influence on the country’s war effort. Most valuable assistance has been rendered also by the National Production Council, the Industrial Emergency Council and other advisory bodies which afford those immediately concerned in trade and industry the opportunity of consulting directly amongst themselves on war measures and of advising my Ministers of their respective requirements.

Proud Contribution.

The Dominion’s contribution to the war has been one of which we may be justly proud. An expeditionary Force of large numbers, well trained and equipped, is now established overseas and when it is put to the test of arms it will undoubtedly prove a worthy successor to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force of 1914-18.

Although our forces have not as yet participated as a fighting unit in the Libyan campaign, we were nevertheless worthily represented in these operations by Signals, Engineer and Transport personnel, whose services received high praise from the Com-mander-in-Chief. Defence of New Zealand.

In New Zealand there has been a rapid expansion of the forces available to_defend our own shores against possible attack. Our coast defences, now continuously manned, have been constantly reviewed and strengthened. The Territorial force has been expanded and is under concentrated training. A National Military Reserve, a Home Guard and a large and comprehensive Emergency Precautions Organisation and a women’s War Service Auxiliary have been established, and are being trained and equipped. My Ministers have taken and will continue to take every possible step to ensure that we are fully prepared here to meet any contingency that may arise.

My advisers are warmly appreciative of the ready response of local authorities and the general public to all demands and requests that the requirements of the time have necessitated. Spirit Maintained.

After the fullest consideration and notwithstanding a steady and most encouraging flow of volunteers, my Ministers during last year determined to introduce a system of universal military service as the most equitable method of meeting the greatly increased man-power requirements of the Dominion, and I am happy to say that under this system the splendid spirit of our young manhood undergoing military instruction has been fully maintained.

I am particularly happy to say that a Battalion of the Maori race has left our shores to play its part in the common cause.

In view of the vital importance of the closest possible liaison between British and Allied countries my Government have been represented by their chiefs-of-staff and others at various conferences on war strategy and supply and, in addition, the chief of the General Staff has visited the theatre of operating in the Middle East, and from many sources gathered recent and valuable information for my ministers. N.Z. Naval Division.

His Majesty’s ships of the New Zealand naval forces are disposed and employed to the best .advantage and are constantly at sea. The minesweeping flotilla has been greatly strengthened by the taking up and conversion of suitable merchant vessels and fast motor launches have been requisitioned for duty as patrol craft.

My ministers have recently made provision for a naval training establishment at Motuihi Island, at Auckland. This establishment has already commenced its activities and further works and buildings to enable large numbers to be accommodated and intensively trained are making good progress. Since the outbreak of war the personnel of the New Zealand naval forces has increased threefold.

Expanding Air Force. The large and rapid expansion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force necessary to enable my Government to fulfil their commitments under the Empire Air Training Scheme has now been completed and it is most gratifying to my Ministers that the output of New Zealand-trained air personnel required under the Empire Scheme has been achieved in so short a time.

The requisite number of trainees of the high physical and education, standard required are being maintained on a voluntary basis not only for service abroad but for the growing requirements of the air defence of New Zealand. It is within my personal knowledge how gallantly and competently New Zealanders have played their part abroad in the war of the air.

The war has imposed upon us large and important alterations in the Dominion’s economic life. The inevitable restriction on imports and the burden imposed upon trade, industry and production by the regular withdrawal of men for the armed services have necessitated the most careful consideration of my advisers with a view to minimising disruption to the utmost extent possible, and so organising our national economy that the Dominion is enabled to play its full part in the common effort.

The necessary adjustments have been made for the most part with the consent and goodwill of all concerned, and my Ministers are confident that any alterations that the future may demand will be effected similarly. The Dominion’s achievement in production has indeed been a notable one; the agricultural and pastoral season has been good and the response of farmers to the appeals from the United Kingdom for increased production of certain commodities has been outstanding. A large and growing proportion of the clothing and equipment required by the New Zealand forces is being produced locally and the progress made in the manufacture of munitions has been most gratifying. Munitions Making.

“My Government have directed special attention to. the expansion of munitions production. “In June of last year a strong delegation headed by the Minister of Supply proceeded to Australia to discuss with His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia matters relating to increased production within this Dominion and the provision of the necessary supplies of raw material. “Since that time the growth of munitions production in New Zealand has been very rapid. “My Government were also represented at the Eastern Group Conference called by His Excellency the Viceroy of India towards the latter part of last year, and, as a result of discussions at that conference, the Dominion’s capacity to produce particular items of munitions will be employed as required in the interests of the other members of the Eastern Group whose resources will, in turn, be available to us.

“My Government has accepted the recommendations of the conference and has appointed a representative on the Supply Council which is to operate the organisation. Flexible Labour.

“Co-operation between employers and workers has enabled the necessary degree of flexibility to be introduced into the Dominion’s labour legislation with the object of obtaining a greater output of war requirements, and my Government propose, in addition, to utilise as far as possible measures for the training of auxiliary workers, some of which are already successfully in operation. “With the increased demand on the man-power of the Dominion that must inevitably be expected, however, it may well be that my Government will be obliged to arrange still further for the diversion of labour from nonessential to essential industries and to call to an increasing degree upon the services of women, large numbers of whom have already come forward in the most commendable spirit to offer their services.

“Activities in respect of public works have necessarily been substantially curtailed since the outbreak of war, and though, in the opinion of my Ministers, restrictions in this direction must continue in the meantime, nevertheless they are convinced that certain urgent national works in connection with hydro-electric undertakings, transport development and projects designed to assist primary and secondary. industry, including irrigation and land development, must be continued as far as is practicable.